Mae’s tight-lipped expression grew slightly tighter at Serapis’ response as she placed the folding screen between the bed and door. “Still not what I meant.” Not bothering to press the matter, she gave an exasperated sigh. “Do what you need to do.” She ducked behind the screen as her companion called for her help once more.


Taking a route that would avoid the dining hall where most of the staff still waited, Thayva led Seaella to the kitchens. Thayva grabbed one of the lit lanterns hanging from the walls and used it to light their way down the vacant halls.
Seaella followed quietly, glancing frantically around her surroundings, trying to remember every turn they made. Her grip on her sister’s weapon only tightened, every peal of thunder making her flinch as it shook the house, the howling wind outside whistling eerily.
The kitchen was a large room lined with cabinets. A few large iron stoves sat against one wall, a pile of wood stacked in the corner. A small, tall table sat near the center of the room, providing a bit of extra counter space.
Casting Seaella a glance, Thayva set about gathering a few different types of fruits and placed them in a bowl, all beneath Seaella’s watchful gaze.
Thayva sat the bowl on the table, and offered Seaella a smile. “You must be hungry.”
Seaella eyed the bowl for a long moment, then slowly stepped toward the table. She startled and spun around when Serapis entered, calling his wife’s name, her grip on the staff tightening that much further.
“Of course.” Thayva smiled warmly at him. “Has the staff been pacified?” She looked to Seaella as the elf slowly inched closer to the table, the child’s eyes shifting between the dracons and the bowl of fruit. Thayva nonchalantly scooted the bowl closer to the edge of the table closest to girl.


Nick sighed and went to his own bed. “I know. It’s like they think we can’t handle it.” He scowled, then punched his pillow, trying to fluff it before he fell into it and covered drew his course blanket over his head, welcoming the warmth of it in the cold of the night.

"They're as calm as their going to get" Serapis replied. "I'm sure they aren't all too happy with the situation, but they trust us and they're still loyal, I'm sure." He took a small apple for himself and bit into it, as he was slightly hungry himself. He sat down near Seaella.

"It just occurred to me that Mae wanted to know what happened to her friends. I admit that I've been a bit distracted lately, what with all of the money problems on this orphanage, the restless staff, and gods-knows-what the orphans are doing. Did you know that they trashed the dining hall using magic to scatter food all over the place?" Such a concern seemed mundane, even childish under the circumstances. "Anyway, I am sure the staff will help your friend with whatever information she needs. Now, if I may say it, you're holding a weapon. You aren't fleeing from a battle, are you? If you are being pursued, it could pose a danger to the children here. But don't worry. I would help defend you."

-------------

Aurelian put his head on the pillow and tried to get some sleep.

Seaella watched the two Dracon’s converse, not fully caring about their conversation. Still standing a few feet from the table, she slowly inched her way toward the only table of a normal height in the manor, her gaze switching between the dracons to the fruit and back again. She froze when Serapis looked toward her, the thought of the food momentarily put from her mind.
She stared at him at his question, pulling her sister’s staff closer to her and trying to steel her expression, as she had seen her sister do on many occasions. Alas, the efforts proved in vain. Did she dare tell him about their pursuers? Would doing so risk them being turned away from their help? Would not telling them end even worse? She glanced uncertainly up at the stone topping the staff, its powers dormant in her hands, as if hoping it would answer her silent questions.
“We,” she began quietly. She paused to swallow. “We were being followed,” she confirmed carefully. “We think we lost them, but we can’t be sure.”

Serapis thought about her words. "Well, we shall just have to be on alert, then. No need to panic. Still, I thank you for the warning and for your honesty. I will have to increase security, but life shall go on normally here" he replied. "You are still welcome here, no matter what the danger."

Seaella gave a hefty sigh of relief at Serapis’ reassurance and Thayva’s nod of agreement to her husband’s words. That was one thing, at least, her young mind would not have to add to its already too many worries.
Slowly, she sidled up to the table, glancing to both the dracons, then snatched an apple from the bowl. She sniffed at it, enjoying its sweet scent, then took a bite of the juicy fruit.
“Where are we?” she asked, wiping a bit of juice from her mouth that had dribbled down her chin. “We... we traveled far, and lost track of where we were going.”

"This place? This is the mystic orphanage. Bit of an odd name, I know, but we raise orphans here from many different races. We've got humans, dracons, lizardfolk, halflings, elves, kobolds, dwarves, even a few goblins. We teach children all they will need to learn to make it in the world, including the skills needed to be an adventurer or a fighter. We teach magic here, along with athletics, reading, writing, history, math, and many other subjects." Serapis paused for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts and provide a satisfactory answer to Saella's question. He also needed to make sure that things sure might find odd were accounted for.

"While the orphans are asleep now- or at least they are supposed to be- they will be busy attending classes and doing chores by day. We raise them in as close to a style to my people, the dracons, as is possible. Don't be surprised to see them without footwear or in some cases, using only a loincloth. Lizardfolk and a few others dress like that, although humans and elves certainly do not. It's perfectly normal for many of the species here. Now, did you need to know more? I hope I answered your question."

Seaella chewed the apple slowly as Serapis answered her question, savoring the flavor. The child's brows furrowed, the young elf unfamiliar with the race of dracons. She had encountered many a dragon and dwarf, even the occasional lizardfolk and other such race, but never a dracon, let alone knew what their "style" consisted of.
She swallowed hard, trying to get the apple past the lump that had formed in her throat. She shook her head at his question, wishing Valera was there. She would know what to ask. She always did.
Seaella glanced to the door they had come through, and chewed on her bottom lip in worry, her fiery hair glinting in the light of the torches illuminating the room.

Serapis looked around, making sure that the situation was stable. He briefly checked outside of the window and opened the door to the orphanage and examined the surrounding area. No one seemed to be pursuing Seaella. At least not yet. Bad things failed to happen. Good.

"So, Seaella? I have to go for now. Is there anything else you need? I've got preparations to make for a trip, an orphanage to run, and yes, I should see to Thayva." Arjun was asleep, so he was accounted for. As were Aurelian and the other children.